Population and development
G3 Economics - syllabus K343, 2027
What drives population change, the effects of size and age structure, and why countries differ in development.
- Birth rates, death rates and migration
Population changes through births, deaths and net migration.
- Why birth, death and migration rates differ
Income, education, healthcare and culture shape birth and death rates; jobs, wages and safety drive migration.
- Optimum population and changes in population structure
An optimum population makes the best use of resources; an ageing population raises costs and shrinks the workforce.
- Why countries differ in development: income, productivity, sectors and saving
Countries with higher productivity, larger service and industry sectors, and more saving and investment tend to have higher incomes and more development.
- Why countries differ in development: population, education, healthcare and resources
Fast population growth, weak education and healthcare hold development back; natural resources help only when their income is used well.
- Put it together: Respond to an ageing population
A country's population is ageing quickly. Fewer young people are joining the workforce, while spending on pensions and healthcare rises. Compare three responses.
What you will be able to do
I can define birth rate, death rate and net migration, and explain why they differ between countries.
Syllabus K343, 5.3.1. Factors that affect population growth: definitions of: birth rate, death rate, net migration, immigration and emigration; how birth rates, death rates and net migration can vary between countries; reasons why birth rates, death rates and net migration rates can vary between countries
Taught in Birth rates, death rates and migration, Why birth, death and migration rates differ
I can explain optimum population and the effects of changes in a population's size, age and gender structure.
Syllabus K343, 5.3.2. The effects of changes in the size and structure of populations: the concept of an optimum population; the effects of increases and decreases in population size and changes in the age and gender distribution of population
Taught in Optimum population and changes in population structure
I can explain the causes and effects of differences between countries in income, productivity, population, sectors, saving, education, health and resources.
Syllabus K343, 5.4.1. Causes and consequences of international differences: differences in: income, productivity, population growth, size of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, saving and investment, education, healthcare, natural resources
Taught in Why countries differ in development: income, productivity, sectors and saving, Why countries differ in development: population, education, healthcare and resources